Armenian, French presidents discuss relations, Karabakh
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
22 Apr 05
[Presenter] Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has met French
President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace. During the tete-a-tete
meeting, they discussed a wide range of issues in relations between
Armenia and France. The sides also touched on the issue of settling
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The Armenian president also discussed
this issue with the French co-chairman of the [OSCE] Minsk Group,
Bernard Fassier.
Kocharyan also met the French industry minister, the chairmen of the
Credit Agricole Bank and Alcatel company. They discussed the prospects
of economic relations between Armenia and France and issues of
reviving the activities of these companies in Armenia.
[Correspondent over video of the meeting] The Armenian and French
presidents today launched the events dedicated to the 90th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide in Paris. After their meeting at the Elysee
Palace, Kocharyan and Jacques Chirac went to Canada Square. The
monument to [Armenian composer] Komitas, which was erected in the
centre of Paris in 2001, commemorates the victims of the Armenian
genocide in Ottoman Turkey. The presidents honoured the memory of the
victims of the Armenian genocide. Kocharyan and Jacques Chirac laid a
wreath on the Komitas monument together.
The ceremony was attended by the leaders of the Armenian and French
delegations, the Catholic and Protestant Churches, as well as the
leaders of Armenian political parties.
[Passage omitted: Other events to commemorate the Armenian genocide
are scheduled in Paris]